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India Win Toss, Bat Against Bangladesh

India Win Toss, Bat Against Bangladesh
India's Shikhar Dhawan left, and Rohit Sharma walk onto the field to start the Indian batting attack during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against the United Arab Emirates in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Feb 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Theron Kirkman)
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India's Shikhar Dhawan left, and Rohit Sharma walk onto the field to start the Indian batting attack during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against the United Arab Emirates in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Feb 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Theron Kirkman)

MELBOURNE, - India won the toss and opted to bat in Thursday's World Cup quarter-final against Bangladesh at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The world champions retained the same starting 11 that beat Zimbabwe by six wickets in their last pool game in Auckland on Friday.

Bangladesh made one change to the team that lost to New Zealand by three wickets in Hamilton on Friday, with captain Mashrafe Mortaza returning at the expense of Taijul Islam.

With the wind gusting and rain forecast for later in the day, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni resisted the temptation to send Bangladesh in and then chase a total.

In each of the three matches played at the MCG during this World Cup, the team batting first has scored more than 300 and gone on to win the match.

"We may be a good side, we may be playing good cricket, but there's still hope of improvement," Dhoni said after the toss.

India are overwhelming favourites to win the match and advance to a semi-final against either Australia or Pakistan.

The reigning champions were undefeated in their six pool games and have won 24, lost three and tied one of their previous 28 matches against Bangladesh.

But Bangladesh are not without hope. One of their three wins against their neighbours was in the pool phase at the 2007 World Cup, a result which effectively knocked India out of the competition.

The Tigers also sealed their place in the last eight with an upset win over England and are adopting the approach that they have nothing to lose against India.

"(I'm) proud of our team," Mortaza said. "First time playing quarter-finals. Hopefully give our best today."

Lineups:

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

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MS Dhoni (Captain)

India’s 15 Man Squad For World Cup 2015

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.